80% Of Tasmanian Devils Dead From Communicable Cancer; Loggers Doing Their Bit, Too

[hatrack]

OGGING is playing a role in driving the Tasmanian devil to extinction and urgent changes to Lforestry practices are needed, experts say.

With about 80 per cent of devils wiped out by a communicable cancer, some members of the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program are frustrated that clearing of key habitats continues. Their concerns are backed by federal government conservation advice and a survey that has found 16 disease-free devils in three forest coupes scheduled for logging.

Save the Devil Program field veterinary officer Colette Harmsen, speaking in a private capacity, told The Weekend Australian that without changes logging would continue to reduce devil numbers. If large amounts of their potential habitat were modified or lost, the populations were likely to decline, Dr Harmsen said.

At present, the Forest Practices Authority manages threatened species coupe by coupe rather than addressing the cumulative impacts across landscapes. Some experts argue that devils are found in a wide range of habitats while others share Dr Harmsen's concerns.

EDIT

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/loggers-driving-out-tasmanian-devils/story-fn59niix-1225907974695

[mike r]

1. "communicable cancer" or cancer-causing virus?

[macllyr]

2. Not caused by a virus

No, this a very rare case of a naturally spreading cancer disease not
caused by a transforming virus. The tumor is more like an allograft.
It is transmissible between animals through biting probably in part
because of a low-level of CMH diversity in this species.

See :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil_facial_tumour_disease

Macllyr

[mike r]

3. Okay, thanks for the info!